Valletta FC will probably be crowned Malta champions today or tomorrow as the Premier League continues at the Ta’ Qali national Stadium.
At present, Valletta are leading second placed Marsaxlokk by eight points with three matches to go. And it is Brian Talbot’s side which can, mathematically, overtake Valletta at this stage.
The Citizens, who last won the title in season 2000-2001, will celebrate today if Marsaxlokk fail to win their encounter against Birkirkara.
In that case Marsaxlokk will remain eight points behind the leaders and thus Valletta’s eight-point lead will become unassailable.
But even if Marsaxlokk win their match this evening, Valletta will have another chance tomorrow when they meet city and suburban rivals Floriana in the derby.
It is a situation which is all in favour of Valletta. Against Floriana, of course, it will not be easy. In fact, as usual in such derbies, the Greens will be expected to go all out to lower City’s colours, especially if Valletta would still need to win to ascertain themselves of the title.
The Greens will certainly not be happy to see their great rivals winning the title ‘at their expense’. However, they will be the first to admit that it will be a difficult task to hold the rampant Citizens.
Paul Zammit’s boys have shown character and determination in this Championship, winning the most important matches when it seemed as if everything was lost. Their recent wins over Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara are a clear example as they came back from behind to snatch dramatic wins.
Even if they have failed to be brilliant in their play, the citizens, without any doubt, have been the most consistent side since the start of the year, that is, since Sebastian Monesterolo and, to a certain extent, Frank Temile, returned to form and started scoring the goals that mattered.
Today’s match between Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara is of interest not only to Marsaxlokk, but also to the Stripes who are, together with Sliema, aiming at the second place in the standings.
A berth in next season’s UEFA Cup is at stage and while Marsaxlokk and Sliema are well aware that this is their only chance of European participation (they are both out of the FA Trophy), the Stripes can still challenge for that place via a Trophy win (they are in the semi-finals).
Birkirkara were dealt a setback during the week when they lost the services of their Malta goalie Omar Borg. He has underwent facial surgery and is ruled out for the rest of the season. His place is to be taken by Bernard Paris.
Marsaxlokk, after their defeat against Sliema, will be hoping to bounce back to remain firmly in second place in the knowledge that Sliema tomorrow are favourites to win another three points when facing bottom Championship Pool club Hamrun Spartans.
The Wanderers have won their last two matches against Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk and are now sensing a chance to save their season. But they are also aware that they cannot slip and have to keep winning all their remaining three clashes.
The Spartans have no further interest in the league, but coach Marco Gerada will be able to gauge the form of his players as the FA Trophy semi-finals are fast approaching. Moreover, he is expected to field a stronger side than he did last week against Floriana as most of the players are now back at his disposal.
Also on the programme is today’s clash between the two bottom placed clubs in the Relegation Pool, Pieta and Mqabba. Their only interest after being mathematically sure of being relegated, is to avoid the bottom place.